Separation of oil in natural peanut butter (2024)

FAQs

Is peanut butter still good if oil separates? ›

After storing, if your natural peanut butter has a layer of oil at the top, don't worry! That's not a sign of spoilage, but is a natural occurrence as the oil separates.

Since natural peanut butter is made without the use of added stabilizers (such as, hydrogenated oil), the peanuts' natural oils separate and rise to the top of the jar.

If you have a lot of floating oil on the top of your peanut butter jar, you don't need to worry, it's a sign that your peanut butter is all-natural. Store the jar in the pantry upside down, which will help some of the oil incorporate.

No, you should never pour out the oil floating on top of the peanut butter before consuming. Peanut butter is made by grinding roasted peanuts into a smooth paste. During transit and change in environment, the natural oils from the peanut butter start to separate and float on top.

Turn the unopened jar of separated peanut butter upside down, the idea being that as the oil then flows upwards it will slowly mix itself into the thick peanut butter.

But natural peanut butter's biggest drawback is the inevitable oil separation. Each jar requires vigorous stirring; it's not as simple as opening a jar of Skippy (our favorite creamy peanut butter) and spreading it on a sandwich.

You'll be able to tell fairly quickly tell if your peanut butter has turned rancid: It will have a metallic, bitter and almost stale smell. It may also be darker and dried out in appearance. If it's natural peanut butter, it may be moldy. Any of these features signal it's time to throw away your jar of peanut butter.

Let the peanut butter sit, undisturbed, for a month or three. The oil will separate naturally. You can maximize your extraction by centrifuging it. That would merely increase costs by an order of magnitude.

One of the main fats in peanut butter is oleic acid. When substituted for other fats in your diet, oleic acid helps maintain good cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Managing these levels in your body can lower the risk of heart disease. Peanut butter also contains omega-6 fatty acid.

For example, if you're making peanut butter, you'd use peanut oil — and walnut oil for walnut butter. However, if you don't have the corresponding oil, just use one that's neutral and flavorless like peanut, canola, vegetable, or grapeseed.

Can you eat peanut butter after oil separation? ›

But because natural peanut butters don't contain these stabilizers, the oil in peanuts tends to separate from the peanut solids when sitting on the shelf. The process of oils and solids separating, known as syneresis, is completely safe, but it's still really irritating.

The oil oñ the top of natural peanut butter is just the peanut oil risen to the top. Simply stir it back into the butter below and store it in the warmest part of your fridge. The oil will stay mixed in. It might need another quick stir when you use some more.

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

You'll be able to tell fairly quickly tell if your peanut butter has turned rancid: It will have a metallic, bitter and almost stale smell. It may also be darker and dried out in appearance. If it's natural peanut butter, it may be moldy. Any of these features signal it's time to throw away your jar of peanut butter.

Such indications include foaming, darkening or smoking excessively, indicating the oil must be discarded. Other signs of deteriorated oil include a rancid smell and/or failure to bubble when food is added. The oil will thicken when it is chilled, but will return to its original consistency when reheated.

If the oil is separating from the sauce a bit (this can happen from the oil in the coconut milk and the peanut butter, but it's easy to fix!), add water a few drops at a time and whisk until it comes smoothly back together.

This is a completely natural thing to happen for unstabilized, natural peanut butter. That layer on top is peanut oil. Simply stir it back in and your peanut butter has been 'restored'.